replacement of thermostat and housing as well as water pump.

[pina4greg]

how many members have routinely changed their thermostat and housing as well as the water pump just because of the miles the car had done not because there were any signs of problems.

I believe some have changed under 100,000 and some still have the original parts way after 100,000

mine has just clicked over 100,000km (60,000 miles) and all seems ok at this stage.

cheers

greg

 

[jonco]

Hi Greg,
There are a few horror stories that make the news if you search the forum, but many just carry on running. It's about perception of risk and peace of mind.
I changed mine at a similar mileage on a preventative basis having read a few horror stories. The removed pump looked fine but was a pig to get out http://zroadster.org/forum/threads/m44-coolant-pump-refusing-to-come-out.2935/ but at the end of the day I could stop worrying about possible failure.
@GazHyde had one fail and that lead to a different set of issues. https://zroadster.org/threads/bmw-z3-water-pump-failure.3896/#post-46056
My personal view is to change them at this mileage if you intend keeping the car for awhile but use decent quality.
Cheers
Colin

 

[GazHyde]

As Jonco says, I sure had fun with the water pump on my 2.2. Preventative maintenance is always an interesting discussion, but I will definitely change my water pump every 60k miles now that I've had one fail.

I think the list of things which will get replaced regularly will grow as the car gets older. I tend to have the gearbox & diff oil changed with every routine oil service now for example.

 

[David Cullen]

Hi Greg, i went down this road a few days into getting the car, changed all of the fluids, the fuel filter, water pump and thermostat even though there were no problem, i wound up making problems :-/ the first thermostat failed after 2 months (shut closed) replaced it and the second thermostat failed straight away (closed) i still have to put the third one in F.Y.I the failed thermostats were QH and i have a gates one to put in now. Preventative maintenance is always a good idea, for sure but there is that old saying " if its not broke...... ;-) personally i wouldnt wait for something to break as it could wind up causing more damage

 

[pina4greg]

Thanks very much for the advice guys. I do intent to have this as a keeper and at the moment driven only at a minimum so will probably go down the line of change. I hope to give it a go myself after a bit more research. Just need to check out the available options here in Australia regarding metal impeller etc.

 

[Woody100]

I changed mine and went for the Stewart water pump that comes with a lifetime guarantee

 

[David Cullen]

i think anyone who does change the water pump opts for the metal impeller, as i did. they are not difficult jobs to do and access is good once the plastics are removed, i did have a lot of difficulty with the water pump, ie. taking it out, it tends to be fairly welded on, just make sure you are happy that you have all the bolts out and after that it will take a lot of pulling and jiggling but should come out after a while, took me two hours lol and the housing broke with the force but fingers crossed you have an easy one Greg ;-)

 

[pina4greg]

Thanks David and all who have contributed....I will try and find out from the local dealer who has serviced the car most of its life here if the pump and thero have already been replaced. if not will go ahead and do them just incase... will keep you all advised.

 

[joey]

changng the water pump and thermo is an easy Job and I would do it around the 60k mark as well...

in fact I did but it didn't stop the head gasket failing.

because..

no point in having a brand new water pump and thermostat if the viscous fan and clutch and IMO the hoses are also not changed at the same time...

if you want to be really sure you are better off overhauling all of the coolant system components.

regarding the rubber and plastic components its really as much a case of age as mileage and as these cars are getting older they become brittle,as does the expansion tank on the rad, the coolnt system runs at roughly 20-25 psi, more than enough to blow persished hoses.

one thing I have learnt is if an M44 overheats it is very likely the head will warp as its aluminium and the block is cast iron, hence the different expansion rates, the other issue is that the temp gauge in the cabin is buffered and does not give an accurate reading of the engine temp.

it is designed to stay in the centre as long as the engine is within a set range, once it shows an over heat you are probably already in trouble.

my car had a perished heater matrix hose( which is buried in the back of the engine bay) so it missed the inspections by myself and 3 different mechanics.

when it did go it resulted in a loss of all coolant which caused the head to warp and the gasket to breach.

once bitten....

 

[David Cullen]

sound advice Joey, i changed my main hoses to silicone hoses though still have to change the matrix hoses, they seem fresh enough at the moment though so happy enough but good advice ;-)

 

[Fender2004]

When removing the water pump you can screw a bolt on to either side of the pump the bolt is M6 size if my memory serves. Screw the bolts in equally on both sides and as you screw the bolts in the pump comes out.

 

[joey]

I'd do them David as they don't give any warning when they go..

A thought.we have alarms on the car for when we leave the lights or radio on..so

Why could bmw not gave put a warning buzzer for an overheat. ?

its a very simple thing to do.

One reason, if they did that these cars would run 200 k + easily and they want you buying a new one far sooner than that! .

 

[nachos23]

Put the Stewart in. I had to previously replace every 100,000 KM with BMW water pumps as bushing would wear. Replaced with a Stewart and never had to replace again. Well worth the extra $$

 

[joey]

Anything with a metal impeller is an upgrade..

I bought a German oe quality for £30..

That's 4 of those to one Stewart. .!

Assuming you do a coolant change yearly then a pump and stat change would only cost £60 each time and once every 3 is more than adequate.

But I see the value in the Stewart in terms of peace of mind and less aggro. .!

 

[nachos23]

Stewart provides 30% more water flow and it comes with a lifetime warranty. Never had to replace it after I installed it... Ran for 250,000km and still counting. Car sold but still being driven daily.

 

[joey]

Can't really argue with those numbers...!